Menno simons short biography

Menno Simons (1496-1561)

Menno Simons (1496-1561) was the most outstanding Anabaptist Christian leader of the Low Countries during the 16th century.

His followers became known as Mennonites (Mennisten).

He was not, however, the founder of the movement in the Netherlands. He became its leader after it had been in existence in that area for many of years.

His significance lies in the fact that he assumed the responsibilities of leadership at the crucial moment of the movement when it was in danger of losing its original identity under the influence of chiliastic and revolutionary leaders who succeeded in winning large followings.

He maintained original peaceful Biblical Anabaptist concepts and won many who had been in danger of being swallowed up by the revolutionary fraction in Münster.

Menno was born in 1496 (exact date unknown) in the little village of Witmarsum, Dutch province of Friesland.

Little is known about his youth and parental ho